The Devil

by Ashley Jade

  Eden

  My legs are shaking as I make my way up to the castle and I honestly feel like I’m going to pass out before I get to the entrance.

  I can hear music coming from what must be the ballroom and I curse myself for all the mini-freak-outs I had while getting ready.

  The last thing I want to do is draw attention to myself by walking in late.

  Another wave of dizziness washes over me and just when I think I’m about to hit the pavement, I feel my phone vibrate.

  Devil: There’s a side-entrance you can go through. It’s on the left side of the castle. It’s unlocked.

  I swear there are moments where Cain’s so attuned to me it’s almost like he knows me better than I know myself.

  Speeding up my steps, I head toward the left side of the castle.

  AngelBaby123: Almost there.

  Devil: After you walk through the door, there’s a short hallway. The ballroom will be on your right.

  I reach the door after what feels like an eternity and continue down the hallway. The sound of music and people chattering makes my stomach churn.

  In a few short steps, I’ll be inside the ballroom with all of them.

  AngelBaby123: I’m scared.

  I curse under my breath. I’m supposed to be proving I can handle this.

  Everything I want is right inside that room. Now isn’t the time to be a baby.

  Taking a deep breath, I force my legs to start walking.

  My knees buckle as I enter. Even with the mask on I can’t help but feel like everyone knows it’s me.

  I desperately search around for Cain, but it proves to be futile. It seems as if every man here is wearing the same black tux, bowtie, and inconspicuous black mask.

  My phone vibrates.

  Devil: You look beautiful.

  I stop moving. He can see me?

  I mentally smack myself on the head. Of course, Cain can see me. He purchased everything I’m wearing.

  Including the string of pearls that glide across my most sensitive areas with the slightest of movements—making it downright impossible to forget what’s under my dress.

  AngelBaby123: Where are you?

  Devil: Watching you.

  I swear I blush five different shades of red. I know he didn’t mean to sound dirty, but it sends a rush of heat between my legs anyway.

  It also sends my anxiety into overdrive, because it reminds me I’m in a room full of people and not home in my bedroom.

  Nerves flutter in my belly and I look down at the floor.

  Every time I take in my surroundings, my head whirls like a cyclone. I feel much better staying on the sidelines, staring at my shoes.

  Unfortunately, I end up crashing into a waiter holding a tray full of dishes.

  My heart’s in my throat when the tray wobbles. A second before it falls, a man comes out of nowhere and steadies it. Instead of a category five catastrophe, the only thing that hits the floor is a single glass.

  The waiter looks relieved. I, however, am anything but. I’ve only been here a minute and already I’m causing problems. People are starting to stare.

  “Thanks, man,” the waiter says. “I owe you one.”

  “Don’t mention it,” a deep raspy voice replies.

  “I’m so sorry.” Nausea barrels into me as I bend down to pick up the broken glass. “I should have been paying better attention to where I was going—”

  I freeze when a hand wraps around my wrist. “Let the waiter handle it.”

  I look up and all the oxygen gets sucked out of the room. I’m staring into the most intense blue eyes I’ve ever seen.

  “You could hurt yourself if you’re not careful.”

  I try to respond, but my throat goes dry. Jesus. It almost hurts to look at them head-on, like staring into an eclipse.

  Transfixed, I take in the rest of his features. His complexion is tan, as if he spends most of his time in the sun. A jaw sharp enough to slice through metal is covered by a fine dusting of stubble. Not enough to be considered a beard, but a little more than a five o’clock shadow. His mouth has an interesting shape…almost pouty. Like he’s sucking on a lemon. The rest of his face is shielded by a black mask, and I find myself grateful—because if the features I can see are this penetrating, I can’t imagine what he looks like when all the puzzle pieces are put together.

  My gaze drifts to his lips again, but the ink peeking out from under the collar of his tux catches my eye. His tattoos are out of place with the rest of his attire…make that the rest of the room.

  Oddly enough, it’s comforting. Like I’m not the only one who doesn’t belong here.

  Somehow, I manage to find my voice. “It’s not a problem. It was my fault.”

  “What makes you so sure?”

  I’m trying to think of how to answer that, but my finger starts throbbing. When I look down, I see blood.

  “Guess you were right.”

  I look around for Cain because I know he’s watching me, but the man turns my wrist, examining my finger. “There’s a small piece of glass in there. Does it hurt?”

  “Not really.” I grimace. “A little.”

  I’m taken back when he brings my finger to his lips. I’m about to inform him that I don’t need him to kiss my boo-boo, but to my utter bewilderment, he places my bloody finger in his mouth.

  I’m too shocked to protest and too mesmerized to pull away. The breath I was holding leaves me in one big rush when he starts sucking. He’s so gentle, so tender…it’s almost erotic.

  This is without a doubt the most unusual experience I’ve ever had in my life.

  “It’s out.”

  He stands, and I look down at my finger. It’s barely even bleeding anymore.

  “Thank you—” I start to say, but he’s already gone.

  Chapter 16

  Damien

  “Thanks for saving my ass before. If there’s anything I can do for you, or if there’s something you need tonight, let me know.”

  Tearing my gaze away from the trembling fallen angel who’s trying her best to blend in with the wall, I glare at the waiter. “How about you get the fuck out of my face and we’ll call it even?”

  His expression is comical, like he doesn’t know whether to shit his pants or defend himself.

  He’s smarter than he looks though because he high tails it down the hallway.

  I peer into the ballroom and focus my attention on my two favorite people.

  Cain is still talking to his future father-in-law and new fiancée. Judging by the taut line of his jaw, the conversation isn’t a pleasant one.

  It’s rather unfortunate…because his night is only going to get worse.

  Swiveling my gaze to the other side of the room, I search for Eden.

  She’s not hard to spot…given she looks like a frightened kitten being held over water.

  Christ, she’s so uncomfortable, it’s almost painful to witness.

  Stroking my chin, I continue examining her. Even though her face is covered by a mask and she’s unraveling at the seams…the girl is beautifully fascinating.

  A breathtaking tragedy waiting to happen.

  She reminds me of my fish when I put them in my tank for the first time.

  Skittish in her new surroundings. Alone and exposed…despite being surrounded by her own kind.

  Smirking, I reach down to adjust my growing erection.

  And vulnerable…because she doesn’t know there’s a piranha watching her…and he’s hungry.

  My balls tingle when her lower lip trembles and her chest heaves, accentuating those full perky tits. Poor thing keeps checking her phone and looking around…desperate to connect with the man she’s given her heart to.

  The reason she’s putting herself through all this torture.

  My angel has no idea the man she loves is going to crush her soul before the night is over.

  My dick twitches, straining against my zipper. It’s like watching two trains about to collide…b
oom.

  If I still had a heart, it would break for her. The girl didn’t ask to be part of my plan…she’s just an unfortunate casualty.

  Cain, however—deserves everything coming to him.

  Eden might be naïve…but Cain’s the one at fault in this scenario due to his self-serving ways.

  No matter who he has to step on or whose heart he has to break…Cain Carter always gets what he wants in the end.

  Except this time.

  Because I’m back…and I’m not leaving without getting what I want.

  And what I want…is to teach him a lesson.

  It’s time Cain Carter learns what’s it like to sacrifice.

  What it’s like to lose.

  Grinding my molars, I crush the tiny sliver of glass in my mouth, wondering if Eden tastes as sweet as her blood does.

  There’s only one way to find out.

  Pulling out my phone, I open the app and send a message.

  Devil: How about I do something to help you relax?

  Chapter 17

  Eden

  Devil: How about I do something to help you relax?

  I breathe a sigh of relief. I’ve been trying to get in contact with Cain since I’ve stepped inside the ballroom twenty minutes ago, but he hasn’t responded until now.

  I was beginning to think he was having second thoughts about us.

  AngelBaby123: All I need is you. I’m near the DJ booth.

  Devil: How about you meet me somewhere more private?

  AngelBaby123: Okay. Where?

  Devil: Go to the staircase in the atrium and take it to the second floor. When you reach the second floor, make a right and walk down the hallway. Third door on the left is a closet. I’ll meet you in there.

  AngelBaby123: You want me to meet you in a closet?

  Devil: Yes.

  Angelbaby123: Why?

  Devil: I want to play with your pearls.

  My pulse skitters. My entire body feels both lighter and heavier at the same time.

  Devil: If you don’t want to…

  AngelBaby123: No, I do.

  Devil: Then go upstairs. I’ll give you further instructions after you get there.

  My heart is beating out of my chest as I make my way up the large spiral staircase. The idea of meeting Cain in a closet during a party is equal parts exciting and nerve-wracking.

  My legs are rubber by the time I find the door and turn the knob.

  AngelBaby123: Here.

  The closet is bigger than I thought it would be, but not big enough to be considered spacious. There’s just enough room for two people to fit comfortably inside. I search for a light switch, but there isn’t one.

  A shudder runs through me at the same time my phone vibrates.

  Devil: I want your ass facing the door.

  My thighs clench as I turn around. I love this take-charge side of Cain.

  AngelBaby123: Done.

  Devil: Good. Now, listen to me carefully. What I say goes from this point on. Got it?

  AngelBaby123: Okay.

  Devil: I mean it, Eden. If you disobey me—I’ll leave, and this will be over.

  AngelBaby123: I understand.

  Devil: Good girl.

  Devil: After you put your phone on the floor, I want you to place both hands on the clothing bar above your head. Don’t turn around and do not remove your hands from the bar unless you have my permission. I’ll be there in sixty seconds.

  I drop my phone and push the two jackets on the rack to the side.

  Then I count to sixty.

  The closet door opens at fifty-nine.

  The woodsy scent of his aftershave is both familiar and reassuring and the tightness in my chest eases.

  “Hi,” I whisper into the darkness. The slight tremor in my voice echoes off the walls.

  He doesn’t respond.

  I’m about to ask if something’s wrong, but he presses himself against me.

  My mouth goes dry when his cock nudges my ass. He’s so hard for me. Just knowing he wants this as much as I do makes the tiny hairs on my arms stand on end.

  “Cain?”

  A bite to my shoulder blade makes me jolt. But just as quickly his tongue is soothing the sting.

  I startle when he pushes the top of my dress down.

  I don’t know why I’m so jumpy. I’ve never been this nervous with Cain before. In fact, I’m usually the one who makes the first move.

  Maybe that’s what my problem is.

  Since I can’t remove my hands from where they are, I grind my ass against him. The movement causes delicious friction between my private parts and the pearls.

  My grip on the bar tightens as the friction builds and he runs his calloused knuckles over my nipples, causing them to pucker. All my senses are heightened in here, making me even more sensitive than usual.

  Chills erupt along my back when his big hand finds the slit in my dress and he walks his fingers up my thigh. Despite his unhurried actions, his touch feels a little rougher than last time, but not in a bad way.

  Sweeping my hair to one side, he nuzzles my neck. His coarse stubble scrapes my skin as his hand climbs higher, drawing out my anticipation.

  As much as I love what he’s doing, it’s becoming impossible not to touch him.

  “Let me touch you.” I draw in a jittery breath. “I want to make you feel good, too.”

  I’m prepared for him to refuse, but to my surprise, he takes one of my hands and brings it to his erection. Eagerly, I stroke him through his pants, loving the way his cock jerks under my palm.

  Not able to wait another second, I tug his zipper down and slip my finger inside. He doesn’t have underwear on. There’s just warm, firm skin. Feeling bolder, I wrap my hand around his length and squeeze. He makes a low noise deep in his throat and the sound goes straight to my core. I go to pull him out fully, but he seizes my hand and places it on top of my other one.

  I want to ask what he’s doing, but it becomes clear when he binds both my wrists to the bar with some kind of silky cloth.

  I swallow hard. “Is this a punishment or reward?”

  His answer is a swift slap on my ass that makes me cry out.

  “Both,” he rasps, his gruff voice barely above a whisper. He must be as turned on as I am because it’s even huskier than usual.

  My pulse explodes when the hand inside my dress begins tracing the pearls of my G-string, applying gentle pressure along the way. It feels so good it drives me out of my mind.

  “Cain—”

  He plucks the string and hisses. The sensation is so sharp and unexpected my breath stalls.

  Jesus. There’s something incredibly sensual about being at someone else’s mercy while they do whatever they want to you.

  Dragging his teeth along my neck, he presses a pearl to my clit and rolls it. The ground beneath me tilts and I forget how to breathe.

  He’s so meticulous in his teasing, giving me tiny sparks of pleasure, but stopping before they blast off.

  I’m so wound up I feel like I could burst any moment. “Please,” I beg as he continues his delicious torture. “Put your finger inside me.”

  A growl escapes him, a dark one I’ve never heard before, but he doesn’t grant me my request. Instead, he strokes the lips of my pussy with his knuckle, teasing.

  Tension in my core tightens—every nerve ending in my body is begging for release.

  “Please.”

  His teeth scrape my shoulder in warning, but I don’t care. If he’s not inside me soon, I’ll go insane. It’s agony not being able to see, touch, or hear him.

  “I need to feel you.”

  The tip of his finger circles my opening, just barely enough to feel. My heart thuds against my ribs. It’s a struggle to draw in air. I’m going to spontaneously combust if he makes me wait any longer.

  “Cai—”

  He plunges his finger inside me forcefully and I gasp, my heart pounding like a jackhammer.

  I’m trying to catch my beari
ngs when he slides it out…only to sink it back in a moment later, deeper this time.

  I mewl and grind against him when he picks up speed and starts fucking me with his finger. Wet sounds fill the space between us, but I’m too focused on the amazing things he’s doing to be embarrassed.

  That is until he jams a second finger inside me, causing pressure my body wasn’t prepared for, and I cry out in pain.

  He freezes and my heart bottoms out. I don’t want to ruin everything like I did last time.

  “Don’t stop,” I choke out. “I can take it, I swear.”

  As if trying to prove my point, I clamp around him, trying to keep him inside me.

  It doesn’t work though because he removes them. The loss guts me. Me and my stupid virginity have blown it for the second time.

  Pretty ironic for someone an entire town refers to as a whore.

  A tear falls down my cheek and that only makes everything worse. I am completely mortified. I just want to get through this barrier between us, but it seems like it’s never going to happen.

  “I’m sor—”

  The words stall in my throat when he gathers the hem of my dress and maneuvers it out of his way.

  Then he drops to his knees.

  My brows knit in confusion. I thought he was upset like last time. “What—”

  He works his finger inside me again, much slower than before. A breath shudders out of me. This angle is deeper, and the new position steals my breath.

  “Oh, God.” I’m so wet I can feel it pooling between my thighs. He pushes me forward, causing the fabric to bite into my wrists, but I don’t care, the pain only adds to my desire.

  Red-hot pleasure slams into me when he parts my lips and spears me with his tongue.

  “Cain—”

  I yelp when he nips me before removing his mouth completely.

  Tears prickle my eyes. I feel punished. Like he brought me to the highest of cliffs…only to push me off it.